SC GOP Women Senators Ousted Over Abortion Ban

The only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate, who opposed a total abortion ban last year, were removed from office during sparsely attended primaries in June. Senators Sandy Senn, Penry Gustafson, and Katrina Shealy's departure leaves the Republican wing of the 'Sister Senators' completely vacated and likely means no women in the majority party of the state Senate when the next session starts in 2025. This shift could result in a significant reduction of women's political influence in the fiercely conservative state, where they have historically struggled to gain legislative power. The GOP-dominated Senate, which allocates power based on seniority, may not see any Republican women rise to leadership until the 2040s. Barring a woman winning an upcoming race in a predominantly opposition district, South Carolina will have only two women in its 46-member Senate, the lowest number in any state's upper chamber. The political gap is alarming given that women constitute 55% of the state's registered voters.